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August 18, 2010

Remembering Penny Candy

How many of us have stood in front of the penny candy counter selecting our purchases when kids? Mom never had candy in the house when we were young..only later, when she had grand kids! She made excellent candy on the holidays, but every day cavity candy was to be bought at the general store!

Sometimes if we worked hard... mom or dad would reward us with a nickle each ,and we would go to Earl McNinch's general store..and would stand in front of the penny candy window for about 15 minutes..(poor Mr Sueter!..a wonderful old man that patiently waited for our orders as we picked out our penny candy)...my favorite would be the candy dots, red hots, cinnamon wax lips, licorice (black) ,bubble gum , or jaw breakers. They were a kid’s dream come true, as spectacular to me as Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory. an enclosed glass display of candy that I had candy land dreams of .—and one of my four basic food groups along with hot dogs, peanut butter, and popcorn. My sisters and I would walk nearly two blocks downtown to spend a nickle a piece on brown bags full of penny candy. Nothing was more satisfying after that hot, long walk than biting into Laffy Taffy,Tootsie Rolls conversation hearts, then called "Sweet Hearts, candy cigarettes, Dum Dum Pops or licorice. A kid could get all the energy she’d need for the walk back from two bits worth of penny candy, a veritable fortune and serious allowance save-up in the ‘50s. ( and friends walking along side asking, " what you got? ") When we were really rolling in the dough ( after raking the yard, pulling dandelions, etc) we could buy a box of cracker jack( loved the prizes inside) ,"push ups' , a fudge sickle. or ice cream bar..or soda pop. Oh what memories of the sweet days !

Though the stores are gone or replaced by chains, penny candy still exists, although it may cost you a bit more than a penny apiece. When I shop Walmarts and see individually wrapped candies in bulk, I fondly remember skipping from the grocery store..carefully though...not to "step on a crack or you'll break your mother's back" as we returned home.Karen from Ohio said...

How I loved going to The Store in Lee Center to pick out my penny candy . Would hang aroung the candy a long time before making my big decision! I was worth working at home to get just a few cents for candy. Thanks for rekindling the memories Cindy!

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I love to can, thanks to a wonderful mom that taught me how.

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The Wellman familyFamily and friends are important to me...so I write about current and past memories I have of them, things of historical interest to me, and of crafting , gardening, and canning. Co-Authors are my wonderful sisters, Helen and KarenSisters and BrothersHelen Page IllinoisKaren Roth , OhioCindy Boyenga, IllinoisDon Wellman , Illinois DeceasedHoward Wellman Jr Deceased

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